Pardon me Wu De for posting here in your original post.
Moderator comment. Per rule #4 of TeawareArtisans Guidelines, I have invited Wu De to particpate in this subforum,
normally reserved for makers of teaware. I hope you agree that his works are a great compliment to TeawareArtisans.

I bid you welcome, Wu De!

My Chinese name is Wu Wei Hai (無為海), but my friends all call me Wu De (無的). Though I use it so little, those of you who have heard of me, would know my English name, Aaron Fisher.

“Wu Wei Hai”, literally means “Ocean of Emptiness” and is signed on all of my pieces as a reference to the very special way in which I approach my art. It is my opinion that true art has always meant more than entertainment or decoration. Art is that special place in us where we meet the world around us without any intermediate, nothing to confuse or cloud our communication with Existence. Through an artist, the world is channeled and pulled back out onto itself, carrying some of the artist with it on its way. Like water running through a wet cloth, our experiences flow through us and come out dyed the reds, yellows and blues of our soul. Art is that journey, as is tea.

Years of meditation and focus have allowed me the ability to quiet my mind, at times. And it is only when my mind is balanced on that equanimity, like a poised crane effortlessly circling above an ocean of silence, that I ever even pick up my brush. This is what the ancient sages called “wu wei”, or action-less action. It is the ripples on the surface of an ocean that is ever so calm, endlessly so, just beneath its thin surface—a sea we all drift on. And that’s why I always sign my paintings 'Wu Wei Hai' (Ocean of Nothingness). Of course, these are but my goals and I’m not always successful in fulfilling them. If you do find some peace in my art, however, remember that this stillness is the real artist, not me.

I try to only paint when I am calm, and almost always after a tea session, ever-attempting to channel some of the Respect, Humilty, Purity and Tranquility I practice onto the paper to help inspire others. I also try to let the tea have its way with the brush as much as possible. You might say that my paintings are stained by some great teas as well.

My pieces have been featured in various magazines and books, as well as my own. Many can be viewed at: http://www.the-leaf.org/Photos%20&%20Art.htm
Some are also on display in various tea houses around the world, and depending on your location, you may be able to go see some examples in person.

I plan to display some that will be exclusive to this site and its readers. I am very grateful to this community for allowing me the opportunity to help spread Cha Dao through my artwork.

May your every steeping
Be scooped from the Source
Boiled of impurities
Steeped in the Self
And taste of Morning Dew

Last edited by Wu De on May 26th, '09, 23:34, edited 6 times in total.

"Set up shop this time
on the Banks of the Kamo
customers, sitting idly
forget host and guest.
They drink a cup of tea
their long sleep ends;
awakened, they realize
they're the same as before."
--Baisao--

Last edited by Wu De on May 27th, '09, 01:47, edited 3 times in total.

As promised the following 10 pieces were painted specifically and exclusively for this community. They are more "western" in the sense that many involve colors and 6 are on handmade water-color paper, while the last 4 are traditional scrolls.

I promise to keep them from my agents for around a month or 2, saving them for people within this group. Send me a message if you are interested in any piece.